Cataract: By: Charmagne Maranon

CATARACT
BY: CHARMAGNE MARANON

DEFINITION:
•A cataract is any
opacity in the lens
that interferes with
light transmission
through the eye.
DEFINITION:
•A cataract is a
clouding of the lens
in the eye that
affects vision.
WHAT CAUSES
CATARACTS
•Age-
Cataracts are very

common in older people.
•40 years of age or older
•Medical
conditions-
diabetes, or intake of
certain drugs like
steroids.
•Infections,
inflammations and
injuries.
ARE THERE OTHER
TYPES OF CATARACT?
Yes. Although most cataracts are related to
aging, there are other types of cataract:
1. Secondary cataract.
Cataracts can form after surgery
for other eye problems, such as
glaucoma. Cataracts also can
develop in people who have other
health problems, such as diabetes.
Cataracts are sometimes linked to
steroid use.
2. Traumatic cataract.
Cataracts can develop
after an eye injury,
sometimes years later.
3. Radiation cataract.
Cataracts can develop
after exposure to some
types of radiation.
4. Congenital cataract.
Some babies are born
with cataracts or develop
them in childhood, often
in both eyes. These
cataracts may be so small
that they do not affect
vision. If they do, the
lenses may need to be
removed.
NORMAL VISION
THE SAME SCENE AS VIEWED BY THE

PERSON WITH CATARACT
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
•The lens is a clear part of the eye
that helps to focus light, or an
image, on the retina. The retina is
the light-sensitive tissue at the
back of the eye. In a normal eye,
light passes through the
transparent lens to the retina.
Once it reaches the retina, light is
changed into nerve signals that are
sent to the brain. The lens must be
clear for the retina to receive a
sharp image.
•The lens is made mostly of
water and protein. Specific
proteins within the lens are
responsible for maintaining its
clarity.
•Over many years, the structures
of these lens proteins are
altered, ultimately leading to a
gradual clouding of the lens.
Beside that, the clear lens can
also changes slowly to a
yellowish/brownish color, adding
a brownish tint to vision.
•Most age-related cataracts
develop from protein clumping.
When a cataract is small, the
cloudiness affects only a small part
of the lens. You may not notice
any changes in your vision.
•Cataracts tend to grow slowly, so
vision gets worse gradually. Over
time, the cloudy area in the lens
may get larger, and the cataract
may increase in size. Seeing may
become more difficult. Your vision
may get duller or blurrier.
•Cataracts also cause the lens to
change to a yellowish/brownish
color. As the clear lens slowly
colors with age, your vision
gradually may acquire a brownish
shade.
•At first, the amount of tinting

may be small and may not cause
a vision problem. Over time,
increased tinting may make it
more difficult to read and
perform other routine activities.
•This gradual change in the
amount of tinting does not affect
the sharpness of the image
transmitted to the retina. If you
have advanced lens discoloration,
you may not be able to identify
blues and purples. You may be
wearing what you believe to be a
pair of black socks, only to find
out from friends that you are
wearing purple socks.
•The risk of cataract increases as
you get older.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF CATARACT
Cloudy or blurry vision.
Colors seem faded.
Glare. Headlights, lamps,
or sunlight may appear too
bright. A halo may appear
around lights.
Poor night vision.
Double vision or multiple images
in one eye. (This symptom may
clear as the cataract gets larger.)
Frequent prescription changes in

your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
These symptoms also can be a

sign of other eye problems. If you
have any of these symptoms,
check with your eye care
professional
TREATMENT
The symptoms of early
cataract may be improved
with:
new eyeglasses
 brighter lighting
 anti-glare sunglasses
magnifying lenses
TREATMENT CONT.
If these measures do not help:
surgery is the only

effective treatment.
Surgery involves removing
the cloudy lens and
replacing it with an
artificial lens.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
CATARACT SURGERY
 Phacoemulsification,
or phaco.
Extracapsular
surgery.
1. Phacoemulsification, or phaco.
A small incision is made on the
side of the cornea, the clear,
dome-shaped surface that covers
the front of the eye. Your doctor
inserts a tiny probe into the eye.
This device emits ultrasound
waves that soften and break up
the lens so that it can be
removed by suction. Most
cataract surgery today is done by
phacoemulsification, also called
"small incision cataract surgery."
2. Extracapsular surgery.
Your doctor makes a

longer incision on the side
of the cornea and removes
the cloudy core of the lens
in one piece. The rest of
the lens is removed by
suction.
 After the natural lens has
been removed, it often is
replaced by an artificial lens,
called an intraocular lens
(IOL).
 An IOL is a clear, plastic lens
that requires no care and
becomes a permanent part of
your eye. Light is focused
clearly by the IOL onto the
retina, improving your vision.
You will not feel or see the
new lens.
DIAGNOSES
 Anxiety
Deficientknowledge (diagnosis
and treatment)
Disturbed sensory perception:
Visual
Risk for infection
Risk for injury
INTERVENTIONS
•Postoperatively, monitor the patient
until he recovers from the effects of
the anesthetic.
• Keep the side rails of the bed up,
monitor vital signs, and assist him
with early ambulation.
•Apply an eye shield or eye patch
postoperatively as ordered.
•Communication enhancement: Visual
deficit; Activity therapy;
Cognitive stimulation; Environmental
management; Fall prevention;
Surveillance: Safety
NURSING CARE PLANS
FOR CATARACT HOME
HEALTH:
•Caution him to avoid activities that
increase intraocular pressure, such
as straining with coughing, bowel
movements, or lifting
•Clients fitted with cataract
eyeglasses need information about
altered spatial perception. The
eyeglasses should be first used
when the patient is seated, until
the patient adjusts to the
distortion.
Instruct the client to look through
the center of the corrective lenses
and to turn the head, rather than
only the eyes, when looking to the
side.
Clear vision is possible only

through the center of the lens.
Hand-eye coordination movements
must be practiced with assistance
and relearned because of the
altered spatial perceptions.

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CATARACT

BY: CHARMAGNE MARANON

Cataracts are very

THE SAME SCENE AS VIEWED BY THE

•At first, the amount of tinting

Frequent prescription changes in

These symptoms also can be a

If these measures do not help:

surgery is the only

Your doctor makes a

Clear vision is possible only

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